KISMAYU 



only smoothed away many difficulties that con- 

 fronted me, but took the greatest trouble to show 

 me the many interesting things that are to be found 

 in the vicinity of the town, and placed a riding camel 

 at my disposal to facilitate my movements. 



Kismayu is not only the principal town in Juba- 

 land, if it may be called a town at all, but is also 

 the seat of Government. It derives its importance 

 from the fact that it possesses the only well-protected 

 roadstead between Mogadishu and Lamu, and thus 

 much of the merchandise designed for Giumbo and 

 southern Italian Somaliland passes through its port. 

 It contains about 4000 inhabitants, chiefly Somali, 

 Arabs, Bajun and a few Indian traders. Except for 

 the custom-house and a few stone buildings in which 

 the officials reside, the town is composed of native 

 huts running in straight lines on each side of broad 

 sandy streets, which in turn nearly all lead to the 

 little central square where the Treasury, Court 

 House, Gaol and Provincial Commissioner's office 

 are situated. Here also is a small hall with open 

 sides, where all important meetings (borassa) are held 

 between Somali chiefs and the Commissioner. The 

 former also often forgather within its walls to chat 

 over a cup of coffee amongst themselves. For the 

 Government employs a man at a salary of Rs. 15 

 a month to supply coffee free to all natives of any 

 position, and sweetmeats on all festivals and fete 

 days. 



Kismayu boasts of a club, which includes among 

 its members most of the officers stationed in Juba- 

 land, many of the officials from Italian Somaliland 

 and some of the plant s from the Gosha country 

 along the Juba River. Among the regulations of 



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